Pretoria - Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa will be remembered as a man who led a holy life, not in isolation of the social realities around him, but rather deeply engaged with these realities, says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He was speaking on Sunday at the beatification ceremony of Benedict Daswa, held by the Roman Catholic Church at Tshitanini, in Limpopo.
“This should be a day on which we set out to replicate the mission and passion of Benedict Daswa in the lives of millions of people in our country and on our Continent.
“In so doing, we will hopefully rid our society of the evils that led to the untimely and horrific death of this youthful patriot and community builder,” he said.
He said he was a good family man, a hard worker and active member of his community, inspired by his faith.
“His fearless ministry cost him his life, but has caused the Church - 25 years after his death - to accord him the status of being part of ‘the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us’, as it is described in the Letter to the Hebrews,” said the Deputy President.
This is the first time in the history of the Catholic Church of Southern Africa, the Deputy President said, that a South African man is being recognised as a Blessed Martyr of Christ.
Daswa tragically lost his life at 43 years of age, on 2 February 1990, after being ambushed by people opposed to his outspoken rejection of witchcraft and witch-hunts.
“He paid the ultimate price for his beliefs on the same day that the then President FW de Klerk announced the unbanning of our liberation movements and the release of our beloved Nelson Mandela.
“… May this also be a day when we renew our commitment to building a society free of ignorance, intolerance and violence,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
